IDNR seeking campground hosts for 2025 camping season

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•March 5, 2025•

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is seeking campground hosts for the 2025 camping season for state parks, recreation areas, and historic sites throughout Illinois.

Campground hosting is the perfect position for anyone who enjoys camping and helping other people. Hosts are often the first face to greet state park visitors. They check on arrivals and departures, write camping permits, acquaint campers with park facilities and regulations, answer questions about local and statewide attractions, help visitors plan outings, and more.

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Local fire results in half-million-dollar loss

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Photo by R.R. Best On March 1st at 5:35 p.m., the Sullivan Fire Department was dispatched to a machine shed fire located near County Road 1200 East, between County Roads 1600N and 1500N. Upon arrival, the 600 square foot machine shed containing hay, straw, and farming equipment was found to be fully-engulfed. The fire departments of Bethany, Lovington, Arthur, and Windsor were called to assist. Defensive operations were deployed to contain any potential spread to the fire due the large amount of hay and straw, winds, and dry surrounding growth. No casualties were reported. The property is owned by Dennis Helmuth, with Aaron Bontrager the tenant. The Sullivan Police Department as well as the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Department closed the roadways until the scene was cleared and released by SFD at 9:07 p.m. Captain Tyler Wright of the Sullivan Fire Department reminds the public to, “Refrain from burning brush and weeds during high winds and call 911.”

Swimmers compete at sectional

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Sullivan Co Op boys swim team went to the IHSA boys sectional meet this past weekend. Grant Martin, Jaden Miller, Henry Wooler, Nathan Rafferty placed 6th in the 200 Medley Relay and 5th in the 200 Freestyle Relay. In individual swims, Martin placed 6th in the 100 butterfly and 8th in the 100 breaststroke. Rafferty placed 8th in the 100 freestyle and 4th in the 500 freestyle. Miller placed 8th in the 100 backstroke and 10th in the 500 freestyle. Woolery placed 14th in the 50 freestyle and 15th in the 100 breaststroke. Pictured are Henry Woolery, Grant Martin, Nathan Rafferty and Jaden Miller

District struggles with filling job vacancies

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School bleachers in need of repair or replacement

•February 26, 2025•

by Ariana R Cherry

“It is becoming challenging to replace and hire new staff in the district.” commented Superintendent, Shannon Cheek at the most recent ALAH School Board meeting held at Lovington Grade School on February 19, 2025. Currently, several positions are open in the district. Some of those positions include two openings for Junior High Science, School Psych, Band, Chorus/Music, High School History, elementary education positions, and ELA at LGS. Job descriptions can be found on the district website under job vacancies. (https://www.cusd305.org/page/job-vacancies). 

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FCCLA Chapter meet for conference

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•February 26, 2025•

As part of National FCCLA Week, Sullivan FCCLA attended the IL FCCLA Section 7 Winter Rally Conference in Charleston on Thursday, February 6th, 2025. Fourteen students from Sullivan High School attended along with advisors Jennifer Vogel and Kali Taylor. FCCLA members from nine area schools made up the approximately 130 participants at the event. 

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Council approves road name change

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•February 26, 2025•

by Sharon Barricklow

The Sullivan City Council took care of a lot of business in a 37-minute council meeting Monday night.

The council spent the most time discussing a road name change for county road 1200N. The road, located between Route 32 and Patterson Road, will now be called Empower Road as the future location of Empower Academy, a dance and day care facility.

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County hears CIPT report

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•February 19, 2025•

by Sharon Barricklow

The Moultrie County Board heard a report on public transportation, an update on a child care plan and dispatched several measures during a 31 minute meeting Thursday night.

The board learned that Central Illinois Public Transit had provided 747 rides for citizens in the last year. Manager John Althoff said CIPT had traveled more than 22,000 miles for Moultrie County residents. 

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Police, city reach union agreement

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•February 19, 2025•

by Sharon Barricklow

The Sullivan City Council and the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police announced they had reached an agreement for a new, four year contract, at the city council meeting on February 10. 

Mayor Mike Mossman said the negotiations included an eight and a half percent raise including a separate check for difference dating back to the expiration of the previous contract in May. “I think it’s a fair contract,” Mossman said.

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Historical Society to meet Thursday

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Pictured is Rikki Ray.

•February 19, 2025•

The next meeting of the Moultrie County Historical Society will be held February 20 at 7:00 p.m. at the History Center, 1303 South Hamilton, Sullivan, Illinois. The featured speaker will be Rikki Ray, a Sullivan native, discussing the One Book One Sullivan program.

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